‘Shrinking’ Recap: ‘Imposter Syndrome’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six of ‘Shrinking’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. 
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One particular lesson that cannot be emphasized enough when it comes to the power of grief as a result of trauma and loss… is that one cannot rush the healing process, in the slightest. For this a major wound psychologically, one akin to major surgery and it requires incredible time to heal and an incredible amount of emotional therapy as well. Yet so many believe that anyone suffering through that pain can quickly emerge from it and be just fine if they lower their heads and go for it, or quickly immerse themselves in everyday moments that they took part in before the pain began. And for that matter, those who hurt are so desperate to be free of the pain, that they will often agree with that summation and do their best to get back on the proverbial horse and well… that often leads to disaster… as evidenced by this week’s episode of Shrinking on Apple TV+.
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For when we catch up with everyone in ‘Imposter Syndrome’, they’re trying to get back into the swing of things and leave the pain behind and somehow magically heal. Gaby for instance, was eager to enjoy a little sexual freedom now that she was divorced, through some good old-fashioned flings. Only to find… she wasn’t quite ready to make that happen since there was still emotional attachment and damage to repair from her divorce, and she struggled accordingly. As for Paul… while his decision to tell his daughter about his condition was a noble one to say the least, but one that he didn’t think about from a consequence standpoint. Because his little girl was worried sick about him and understood that life was about to change, and Paul didn’t want that. He wanted to relish in every last free moment and was now facing the reality that he might have rushed the process and would lose some of that freedom. 

As for Jimmy and Alice… well… they too just wanted to get back into the swing of things and the world and that was why… they agreed to host Brian’s engagement party. Because he was ready to pop the question to Charlie, and what better way to do that then under the guise of a shindig at Jimmy’s? And well… such a decision came back to haunt Jimmy and Alice. Because parties were a thing that Tia loved and hosting one brought back a flood of memories and… Jimmy had to hear often on this night about how he and Tia were just a wonderful and inspiring couple. Which stirred up every raw emotion about his lost love. Which prompted Jimmy to just drown his sorrows and get stinking drunk at the party and that brought about an awkward proposal for Brian and Charlie… when the booze got the better of Jimmy’s stomach and well… clearly neither party was ready to get back to this kind of stuff, and it only got worse from there. 

Because Alice, in her slightly inebriated state, saw the kindness that Sean showed her on this night as a signal to go for it and find love. Since that would give her a chance to feel something good at last and well, that was a poor and rushed choice. Since Sean recognized the age gap and reminded her of that and made it clear those feelings weren’t shared. Shattering her crush and bringing back the pain she tried to mask through that crush, and Jimmy… well he crossed a line that might come back to bite him. Because he and Gaby shared a quiet moment in his bedroom where both sides were vulnerable emotionally and of course, a little drunk and in order to feel something good as well, they kissed and undoubtedly spent the night together and well… we will see what the morning brings for them when heads are clear, and hindsight comes into play.

But all of this was because they rushed the healing process and did everything, they could, to just feel something other than sorrow and that doesn’t make them bad characters or people, just broken ones that need more time and more care and that makes this… a realistically bittersweet tale. One that reminds us of the mistakes we’ve made while grieving or informs of the ones we will make. For we are only human, and our emotions can and will rule the day, especially when we hurt, and it was incredible to see the series dive deep into this after hinting at this reality a little while back and really put on display… how much grief hurts and how powerful it can be. Because that’s the honesty we need in discussing this process, and we need to know that we are going to stumble and fall on our way to happiness again, and it will be interesting to see how these characters pick up the pieces and resume the work, when tomorrow comes. Until next time. 

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